From the repression of contents to the rules of the (narrative) self: A present‐day cognitive view of the Freudian phenomenon of repressed contents

Abstract

In psychoanalysis, it is commonly thought that ideas (desires, fears, etc.) may be repressed, and that they can be made conscious. In this article, we shall apply cognitive viewpoints and assert that ideas do not exist in the unconscious as 'ready made', and thus repressed ideas cannot be 'brought' into consciousness. We suggest that the contents of consciousness are formed by processes on four levels: (1) unconscious brain processes, (2) the level of consciousness, (3) the level of self-consciousness, and (4) the level of narrative self-consciousness. From this point of view, the absence (or repression) of certain contents appears to be due to the missing of processes on Levels 1-4. Consequently, repressed contents appear in consciousness when appropriate processes take place. When studied in terms of our four-level model, repression may be treated as part of the study of the self. By applying the viewpoint of the self to the phenomenon of repression, the danger of the homunculus problem can be avoided. It also becomes apparent that certain fundamental problems met in the study of the self are the ones that Freud tried to solve in his meta-psychological writings.

The Silent and the Silenced in Organizational Knowing and Learning

“…The cornerstone of this theory was that subsequently emerging contents (e.g. in psychic disorders, therapy and even 'slips of the tongue') pre-existed in an unconscious form (Talvitie and Tiitinen, 2006) but were intentionally excluded from conscious awareness. Boag (2007) argued that repression is a coherent explanatory mechanism for the inhibition of unwanted memories, and furthermore posited that 'neural inhibition', evidence for which is supported by recent developments in neuroscience, may be triggered by social factors and can account for Freudian repression.…”

The secure base script: Associated with early maladaptive schemas related to attachment

“…By assessing the process of creating a subjective narrative, researchers and clinicians access information central to the very difficulties thought to underlie clients’ presenting problems. Such information is not necessarily provided through self‐report, particularly when individuals lack insight into their relational difficulties and representational processes due to defensive processes that protect them from experiencing potentially overwhelming or unbearable thoughts and emotions (Bowlby, ; Mascolo & Fischer, ; Talvitie & Tiitinen, ; Westen, ). Assessment of change in ability to describe the SBS may be particularly useful since an inability to mentalize about this type of interpersonal process may be specifically associated with mental health difficulties.…”

Psychoanalytic Theory and Psychology

“…At the same time as the constructionist movement in modern psychology goes well beyond the 'cognitive turn' (cf. Talvitie & Tiitinen, 2006), that movement has opened up a useful but still limited space for addressing the nature of our knowledge of subjectivity (e.g. Gergen, 1985).…”